Child Refugees of South-East Delhi
In the heart of South East Delhi lies Madanpur Khadar, now home to 250 “boat people”. Stripped of their citizenship and fleeing persecution in their homeland, many Rohingya Muslims used the porous border with Bangladesh, to make their way into India, along with their children. Eking out a living in temporary camps, they reside on a piece of land donated by @ZakatFoundation. When one steps into this camp, you can’t miss the desperate conditions in which children spend their lives. “Where is your home?” I asked a little child, as I made my way through the camp reeking of grave poverty, who instantly pointed to a dingy makeshift slum. What must he remember of what was once his home, or his journey to a new unaccepting place? How long will his memories remain before they begin to fade? Does he long for his familiar childhood home or is he making a home out of this unfamiliar place? … I wondered as I met face to face with these little children going about their day. #littlehumans#NoCountryForChildren
Credit: Shreeradha Mishra
Books
“If there was one thing you would like to be photographed with, what would it be?”
“This book of mine. It’s my favourite. I love how colourful it is and how the words sound.” #littlehumans #nocountryforchildren
Credit: Shreeradha Mishra
Shoes & Chips
“If there was one thing you would like to be photographed with, what would it be?”
“My shoes! I love them. I wear them all the time. Sometimes my friends ask me to let them wear them for some time. I also love this chips a lot.” #littlehumans #nocountryforchildren
Credit: Shreeradha Mishra
Flower
“If there was one thing you would like to be photographed with, what would it be?”
“A flower, but there are no flowers over here,”she says with a frown. She darts off and comes back with a blade of wild grass, saying, “Let’s pretend this is a flower.” #littlehumans#nocountryforchildren
Credit: Shreeradha Mishra
Shaheeda
“If there was one thing you would like to be photographed with, what would it be?”
“She – my best friend, her name is Shaheeda.”
#littlehumans #nocountryforchildren
Credit: Shreeradha Mishra
Garbage Dump
A child carries a bag of human faeces to dispose in a garbage dump in front of the settlement – at a distance of less than 80 meters. #littlehumans#nocountryforchildren
Credit: Shreeradha Mishra
Home
“Where is your home?”
He points to a dingy makeshift slum.
#littlehumans #nocountryforchildren
Credit: Shreeradha Mishra
Ammi's Shop
A #littlehuman guarding her Ammi’s shop that sells basic utility items to the refugee camp. #littlehumans #nocountryforchildren
Credit: Shreeradha Mishra
Baby Brother
Growing up in difficult situations often force tough responsibilities upon the tender shoulders of little children. A little girl from the camp takes care of her baby brother in the absence of her parents – both daily wage laborers at a nearby construction site. #littlehumans #nocountryforchildren
Credit: Shreeradha Mishra
Selfie
Fascinated with the ‘Selfie’: 3 little boys taking a ‘selfie’ for the first time outside their makeshift homes at the Madanpur Refugee Camp. #littlehumans #nocountryforchildren
Credit: Shreeradha Mishra